St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church

May our Lord Jesus, RISEN from the dead, give us joy and peace.

70AD? Sounds boring to me, Trials for a little while, Out with the doubt.

70AD? Sounds boring to me. The Acts of the Apostles, that is, life just after Jesus died, has a remarkable similarity to today. There they were, confirmed in all that Jesus said and did, meeting regularly, breaking bread, sharing things, and waiting for Him to come again within the week probably. Jesus was God keeping His promise, and the latest promise was, "I am coming back to take you with me." So they all got ready for Jesus to lead them home. People didn't care about much except being ready.

Well, that was then, and this is now. Hey Fr. Patrick, how about a relevant homily, the history stuff, I mean 70AD? is a little boring. Oh really? What would you say if I told you that 1,941 years later - we are still ready.

In fact people are still selling their things and looking out for others, still breaking bread and still devoting themselves to prayerful readiness. I stand before you as someone stationed here to wait with you having nothing and sharing everything but my underwear and toothbrush. Benedict Kelly, Casey Cole, Todd Weir, Nick Reynolds, Melissa Carnall, Eliza Stucker, and some others are beginning their life of simple, ready service this year. It blows my mind that this reading falls on the same week that each of them leaves to go and serve. Are you bored with all these people, bright people, giving their lives? It is dramatic, powerful, personal witness to God at work. If bored, you are the walking dead.

Trials for a little while. In the 2^nd reading St. Peter says that "We may have to suffer various trials for a little while. Through these, he says, your faith is being tested. Even gold and silver, the most precious metals, are made pure in fire. So are we. Some of us are suffering loss, others illness, others personal weakness, even others financial and relationship woes. We are on trial. Will we be winning? St. Peter says, "He gives you a birth to a living hope in the middle of the trial, He gives you and inheritance that is imperishable, kept in heaven for you."

There is no person who has ever loved who has not also suffered. The key is to make sure what you are suffering for is worth it. Faithfulness to God is a reason to suffer anything - even the death of an innocent man. And our trial lawyer is Jesus. I think we're going to win if we stay faithful.

Out with the doubt. This is one of the most graphic and tender scenes in the whole Gospel. Thomas hears that the others have seen the Risen Lord Jesus, and he has had enough these days. He says the unthinkable in exasperation, "Unless I see the marks of the nails in His hands and feet, and put my finger into the nail marks and into His side, I will not believe."

Well Jesus shows up a second time in the locked upper room. Again He says, "Peace be with you." Then He calls Thomas over. "Put your finger here. Bring your hand here." Thomas calls out! "My Lord and my God."

Out with the doubt. Believe Thomas! "My Lord and my God."

There is NOTHING boring about people who face trial and doubt,

being changed by God. That people is us.

How will people know we have been changed?

We walk like 70AD, like Benedict, Casey, Todd, Melissa, Nick, Eliza. Not necessarily joining religious life like they are, but leading nonetheless.

You and I are the new sign of the Kingdom. We write today's Acts.

May someone come to know and love Christ, feel His gift, and respond in generous love for others because of our witness. If necessary we'll use words.